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Bookmark & shareVisa is the most widely accepted credit card, but all credit cards attract at least a 7% surcharge unless you're making a cash withdrawal (where Peruvian currency will be dispersed) from a bank. At ATMs, Visa and MasterCard systems are the most widely recognized networks, followed by American Express. They are the best way to extract money in Peruvian currency or in US dollars.
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Currency
- Name
- Nuevo Sol
- Symbol
- S/
Banknotes are issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 nuevos soles.
Coins are issued in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 céntimos (cents), and 1, 2, and 5 nuevos soles. There are 100 céntimos in one nuevo sole.
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Changing Your Money
The easiest currency to exchange is the US dollar. Other currencies are only exchangeable in major cities and tourist centers, often at a higher commission or lower rate. Money can be changed in banks, casas de cambio (currency-exchange houses), first-class hotels or with street changers. Casas de cambio are usually the easiest places to change money. Street changers, who hang out near banks, never offer better rates than the best bank rate and have been known to cheat travelers with counterfeit bills, so are best avoided. Rates vary from place to place but not significantly, unless you try to change money at a hotel, which may charge a high commission. Travelers checks are rarely accepted and are changed at a slightly lower rate than cash.
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Money Tips
Costs in Peru are lower, on average, than those in developed countries, but higher than those in many neighboring countries. Lima and Cuzco are the most expensive. If you're on a tight budget, you can scrape by on around US$15.00 to US$25.00 a day, but if you want to stay in a bit more comfort and eat out at restaurants, you'll have a better time on around US$50.00 a day.
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Sample Price Guide
- bottle of Cusqueña beer
- US$ 1.50
- local phone call
- US$ 0.15
- flight between most cities
- US$ 95.00
- litre of petrol
- US$ 1.00
- 1l of bottled water
- US$ 0.90
- souvenir t-shirt
- US$ 5.00
- short taxi ride (not in Lima)
- US$ 1.00
- antichuco (shish kebab)
- US$ 0.60
Average Room Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe US$5-25 US$25-75 US$75-200 US$200+ Average Meal Prices
Low Mid High Deluxe US$2-5 US$5-10 US$10-25 US$25+ -
Tipping
A combination of taxes and service charges are added to bills in the best hotels and restaurants and can total as much as 28%. Those towards the budget and mid-range end of the spectrum don't add taxes. Tipping is not expected in cheaper restaurants. A tip of 10% is fine in upmarket restaurants if a service charge has not already been added to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped - bargain hard beforehand and stick to your price. Local guides and porters should be tipped. Bargaining is a way of life in markets.
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Disclaimer: We've tried to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it is provided 'as is' and we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel.
